Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40

देवस्तुतिः—शिवस्य परब्रह्मत्वं, मायाशक्तिः, कर्मफलप्रदातृत्वं च

Devas’ Hymn: Śiva as Parabrahman, Māyā-Śakti, and Giver of Karmic Fruits

Devanagari script

नमो विष्णुकलत्राय विष्णुक्षेत्राय भानवे । भैरवाय शरण्याय त्र्यंबकाय विहारिणे

Transliteration

namo viṣṇukalatrāya viṣṇukṣetrāya bhānave | bhairavāya śaraṇyāya tryaṃbakāya vihāriṇe

Translation

顶礼于他：为毗湿奴之圣能（Śakti）的配偶者；为毗湿奴圣域毗湿奴刹多罗（Viṣṇukṣetra）者；如日轮般光辉灿然者。顶礼于怖畏尊（Bhairava），赐予归依者；顶礼于三目主特里央巴迦（Tryambaka）；并顶礼于自在游行、以神圣戏乐遍行守护的至上护持者。

Word by Word

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: सम्बोधन/प्रार्थना (Salutation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; नमस्कारार्थक-निपात

• विष्णुकलत्राय: to Viṣṇu’s consort
• विष्णुकलत्राय: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु-कलत्र (प्रातिपदिक; विष्णु + कलत्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘Viṣṇu’s consort’ (epithet)

• विष्णुक्षेत्राय: to Viṣṇu’s sacred field/abode
• विष्णुक्षेत्राय: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु-क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक; विष्णु + क्षेत्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘Viṣṇu’s field/abode’ (epithet)

• भानवे: to the sun-like one
• भानवे: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘sun’ as epithet

• भैरवाय: to Bhairava
• भैरवाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; नाम (Bhairava)

• शरण्याय: to the refuge-giver
• शरण्याय: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; विशेषण (worthy of refuge/protector)

• त्र्यम्बकाय: to the three-eyed one
• त्र्यम्बकाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-अम्बक (प्रातिपदिक; त्रि + अम्बक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘three-eyed’ (Tryambaka)

• विहारिणे: to the wanderer/sportive one
• विहारिणे: सम्प्रदान (Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि-हृ (धातु) + इनि/णिन् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय) → विहारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘one who roams/sports’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Tryambakeśvara

Sthala Purana: The epithet Tryambaka directly aligns with the Tryambakeśvara Jyotirliṅga tradition: Śiva as the three-eyed lord who grants release from fear and death; the kṣetra is famed for rites connected with liberation and ancestral propitiation.

Significance: Darśana of Tryambakeśvara is sought for purification, removal of obstacles, and mokṣa-oriented rites; Bhairava as śaraṇya emphasizes refuge and protection for surrendered devotees.

Mantra Metadata

Type: mahamrityunjaya

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Lalitā

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Inter-deity theological synthesis (Śiva as ‘kṣetra’/support of Viṣṇu; solar radiance as cosmic illumination)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Bhairava
• Tryambaka

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

This verse is a surrender-prayer (namaskāra) that praises Śiva as the all-pervading refuge (śaraṇya) and the radiant inner light (bhānu). From a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, it points to Pati (Śiva) as the supreme Protector who grants grace to loosen pāśa (bondage) and guide the soul (paśu) toward liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The epithets Bhairava and Tryambaka are Saguna (with attributes) names used in devotional worship, commonly invoked during Liṅga pūjā. Remembering Śiva as śaraṇya while offering water, bilva leaves, and mantra-japa aligns the devotee’s mind with Śiva’s protective, grace-bestowing presence embodied in the Liṅga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use this verse as a namaskāra before Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), mentally visualizing Tryambaka (three-eyed) and Bhairava (protector). If following Shiva Purana practice, apply tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and keep a rudrākṣa mala for steady japa and śaraṇāgati (surrender).